10 Horror Movies That Will Make You Hate Nature

4. Backcountry (2014)

Black Sheep
IFC Midnight

A grizzly genre piece from Adam MacDonald in his feature debut, Backcountry is the cinematic equivalent of that scene from The Revenant turned up to 11.

This flick stars Missy Peregrym and Jeff Roop as a hapless couple who embark on a weekend camping trip at an Ontario national park. However, their would-be romantic getaway is ruined when an unexpected visitor turns up. This visitor is, of course, a hulking and ferocious black bear.

Though it takes some time for the bear to appear, MacDonald makes its presence known from the beginning. Bear tracks and droppings spotted by the travellers lets the characters and viewers know the beast is nearby, and the tension only builds from there. Meanwhile, the brilliant performances from the leads paint a portrait of a couple who are quietly dealing with some emotional baggage.

When the bear finally does appear, the relative peace the pair have been enjoying is cast aside and replaced by a gritty fight for survival. The ensuing carnage is blunt, brutal, and frantic; all without having to show too much onscreen.

The climax is a white-knuckled hit of adrenaline genre fans are bound to adore. It's also an experience that will put viewers off camping for life.

Contributor
Contributor

Glasgow-based cinephile who earned a Masters degree in film studies to spend their time writing about cinema, video games, and horror.